Swifts blown off course despite comeback
Bolehall Swifts – 2
L Barrett 31’ H Arundel 64’
AFC Solihull – 2
M Shimul 10’ J Meaden 71’
25th April 2026
This was far from an end of season Midland League Division Two contest with nothing to play for, AFC Solihull took a tenth minute lead but were pegged back on the half hour, the final action of the first period then saw Bolehall Swifts’ Reegan Murphy sent off!
Despite the numerical disadvantage the hosts got their noses in front, but parity was once again restored soon after, from there a winner was never really threatened, the home side went closest with a stinging long-range effort that had to be punched away.
With Tamworth concluding their National League campaign at lunch time, this fixture offered those desperate to cram in as much of the beautiful game ahead of the summer break, the opportunity to witness a brace of matches in the same afternoon!
The team in red & black broke the deadlock early when a Md Shimul shot from twelve yards took a deflection en route helping spiral the ball into the far bottom corner; their Staffordshire opponents were almost level when a free kick was fizzed through a sea of bodies but lacked a final touch.
But they did find an equaliser quarter of an hour before the interval, a Symonds set piece into the area was helped into the path of Louie Barrett to poke home from inside the six-yard box, then just as the half-time whistle loomed a scuffle on the touchline erupted.
Three players chased a lost cause off the pitch which led to words spoken then a push, the benches then got involved and the match official had to intervene to calm the situation, eventually brandishing a straight red card to Murphy for ‘aggressive behaviour’.
Solihull seized the initiative at the start of the second period, Ross Kaar released down the left pulled back in for Shimul who fired across the face of goal but wide of the far stick, but it was those in yellow & green who were to score next.
A long throw from their right wasn’t dealt with and lurking behind the rest was Harley Arundel who gratefully smashed past Harry Sang donning the AFC gloves, but their lead lasted barely seven minutes as the visitors struck again.
Another deep cross found Kaar who nodded down to substitute Jamie Meaden who simply could not miss, the closest to a winner came late on as Symonds’ long-range effort swerved enough to trouble the keeper forcing a two-fisted punch away. F/T: 2-2
Competition: Midland Football League Division Two
Venue: Rene Road
Kick-Off: 3.00pm
Surface: Grass
Programme: £2
Attendance: 67
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For final Midland Football League Division Two table please: click here
For a pictorial view of Rene Road, the home of Bolehall Swifts FC + match action, please: click here
Note: 2 pages (198 images)
